Chain fastener



. E. ECKROAT CHAIN FASTENER Filed July 2'7, 1927 Inventor AttorneyPatented Aug. 21,1928.

, am no g v nrran'annncxnoar, orisnEnnnoA-n, PENNSYLVANIA.

Y :crmInrAsrENEn. i

a r n -and. M lar, R1927. Serial no. 1 208,867. 1

This invention relates to fastening devices for chains a'udjis iadaptedparticularly for use in connection with the securing of the ends ofautomobile tire chains so as to retain the same upon position on thetire.

The invention has for an object to provide a fastener of this characterwhich is formed independent of the links of the chain, therebypermitting the same to be secured to any one ofthe links at either endof the chainthereby enabling a more convenient adjustment for securingthe chain in position.

Another object is to provide a device of this character of simple andpractical construction, strong and durable, eflicient and reliable inperformance, adapted to be easily and quickly secured in position forattaching the opposite ends of a chain, inexpensive to manufacture, andotherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the special construction andcombination of the various elements forming the invention, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming apart hereof, whereinFigure l is a view in elevation showing the fastener in position forattaching the ends of a chain.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, and,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along a line 33of Figure 2.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose ofillustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, Iprovide a chain fastener comprising a plate member 5 of a substantiallyelongated formation, and having a pair of notches 7 formed in one sidethereof adjacent its opposite ends, the inner ends of said notchesextending slightly in a direction toward the adjacent ends of the platewherein to form each end of the plate into substantially hook-shapedmembers 6.

Each end of the plate is provided with a transverse opening adapted toreceive pins or bolts 8, each of said pins pivotally supporting one endof arcuate shaped arms 9 adapted to swing in a plane parallel with thefaces of the plate, the arm at the oppo site ends of the plate beingdisposed at the opposite faces of the plate and having their ends remotefrom their pivotal connection provided with hooks 10 for engagement withthe edge of the plate. opposite to the edge j havi nig, the notches 7formed therein, [the arrns, when arranged, with the hooks mengagedposition,'serving toclose the entrance to said notches. I

As more clearly illustrated 1n Figure 2 of the drawing, the pins 8 areof sufiicient length to extend outwardly from the plate at one side,having heads 11 formed thereon adapted to support a. coil spring 12therebetween and the adjacent face of the plate. This arrangementpermits a yielding transverse movement of the pin so that the arms 9 maybe spaced sufliciently from the plate in order to permit the hooks 10 tobe disengaged therefrom and allowing the arms to be swung into open tothe notches.

With the arms arranged in open position,

position with respect links 13 of a chain may be inserted in the notcheand upon the swinging of the arms into a closed position, the links arethereby securely retained therewithin.

It will be observed from Figure 1 of the drawing that the width of thearms and the width of the hooks 6 at the position of engagement of thelinks 13 therewith, are

substantially similar so that the arms and the hooks combine to carrythe pulling force of the links.

In this manner it will be apparent that should either the arm or the endof the hook become broken that the other will still serve as' anattaching means for the link to prevent the disengagement thereof fromthe plate.

It is obvious that the invention is susceptible of various changes, inthe shape,

size and arrangement of the various parts,

without departing from the spirit'or scope of the appended claims, and Iaccordingly claim all such forms of the device to which I am entitled.

I claim z- 1. In a device of the class described, a plate having aplurality of notches formed along one edge thereof, means pivotallycarried by the plate and adapted to be arranged in position with respectto i said notches whereby to close the entrance to the same, and plat-eengaging'means carried by the closure means adapted to engage theopposite' edge thereof for retaining the parts in closed position.

2. In a chain fastener, a plate having a plurality of notches formedalong one edge thereof and adapted to receive the links of edge thereofforming at each end, arcuate shaped arms pivotally carried on said pins,yieldable means permitting limited transverse movement of the arms, saidarms being movable into p0sition with respect to the notches whereby toretain the links therein and hooks formed on the arms. engageable withthe opposite edge of the plate.

ture. a a 1 EMANUEL ECKROAT;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa- 20

